U.S. patent application number 11/893876 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-21 for usb port locking and blocking device.
This patent application is currently assigned to PC Guardian Anti-Theft Products Inc.. Invention is credited to Carl H. Poppe.
Application Number | 20080041125 11/893876 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39100075 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080041125 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Poppe; Carl H. |
February 21, 2008 |
USB port locking and blocking device
Abstract
Locking and blocking devices for USB ports include a lock having
a linear cam with a lock button at its back end, and a locking
member pivotally connected at its back end to a retaining sheath
such that forward sliding of the linear cam pivots the locking
member outwards. The front end of the locking member is biased
toward the interior of the lock. The locking member has protrusions
at its front end configured for insertion into holes of a USB port.
A blocking plate includes at least one opening configured for
insertion of the retaining sheath. A retaining bracket has a back
face that defines a first opening, wider than the cable that
connects a plug to an external device. The front face of the
bracket defines a second opening configured for insertion of the
retaining sheath, and a third opening configured for insertion of
the plug.
Inventors: |
Poppe; Carl H.; (Sebastopol,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP (SF)
2 PALO ALTO SQUARE, 3000 El Camino Real, Suite 700
PALO ALTO
CA
94306
US
|
Assignee: |
PC Guardian Anti-Theft Products
Inc.
San Rafael
CA
|
Family ID: |
39100075 |
Appl. No.: |
11/893876 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60838591 |
Aug 17, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
70/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 70/50 20150401;
Y10T 70/5009 20150401; H01R 13/6397 20130101; Y10T 70/40 20150401;
H01R 2201/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
70/57 |
International
Class: |
E05B 65/00 20060101
E05B065/00 |
Claims
1. A lock for a USB port, comprising: a housing having a first end
and a second end; a retaining sheath having a first end connected
to said second end of said housing and a second end configured for
insertion to said USB port; a locking member having a fixed end
pivotally connected to said first end of said retaining sheath, a
free end comprising at least one protrusion configured for
insertion to a hole in said USB port, and a ramped camming surface
disposed on said locking member; a cam, slidable by a user within
said housing along said ramped camming surface such that when said
cam is slid toward said free end of said locking member, said
locking member pivots at said fixed end such that said protrusion
is inserted to said hole; and a locking mechanism configured to
permit and restrain sliding of said cam away from said free end of
said locking member when unlocked and locked, respectively, by a
user.
2. The lock of claim 1, wherein said locking member is biased to
extend at an angle such that said free end is disposed at an
interior of said retaining sheath and said fixed end is disposed
adjacent an exterior of said retaining sheath.
3. The lock of claim 1, wherein a first one of said at least one
protrusion is disposed on a first edge of said locking member.
4. The lock of claim 3, further comprising a second protrusion
disposed on a second edge of said locking member.
5. The lock of claim 1, wherein said ramped camming surface is
substantially planar.
6. The lock of claim 1, wherein said ramped camming surface extends
along at least a substantial portion of a length of said locking
member.
7. The lock of claim 6, wherein said ramped camming surface extends
along at least half a length of said locking member.
8. The lock of claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism comprises:
at least one first pin, having a first end and a second end; at
least one second pin having a first end and a second end, and
biased in a first direction toward said first end, said first end
selectively contacting said second end of a respective one of said
at least one first pin; a locking latch which, when moved in a
second direction substantially perpendicular said first direction,
prevents movement of said locking mechanism in said first
direction; wherein said first pin and said locking latch are biased
in said second direction; wherein said locking mechanism is
attached to said cam and is biased in said first direction; and a
key; wherein said key is configured and dimensioned to press said
first end of said first pin in a direction substantially opposite
said first direction, such that said second end of said first pin
and said first end of said second pin are disposed on a shear line;
and to subsequently press said first pin and said locking latch in
a direction opposite said second direction.
9. The lock of claim 1, further comprising a security device for
adjacent USB ports adapted for cooperation with said lock, said
device comprising a member defining a first opening configured and
dimensioned for receiving the lock and allowing securement of said
security device to a first USB port, said member being configured
and dimensioned to extend across and limit access to at least one
said adjacent USB port when secured through said first opening to
the first USB port.
10. The lock of claim 9 wherein said member is configured to
completely block access to the at least one adjacent USB port.
11. The lock of claim 10, wherein said member comprises a flat
plate.
12. The lock of claim 9, wherein said member is configured as a
bracket dimensioned to mate with at least one USB plug such that
the plug is securely retained in said at least one adjacent USB
port by said member.
13. A lock for a USB port, comprising: a housing; a retaining
sheath, attached at a rear end to a front end of said housing; a
cam, slidable in a forward and a backward direction by a user
within said housing; a locking member adjacent said cam, having a
back end pivotably connected to said retaining sheath and a front
end comprising at least one protrusion, said protrusion being
configured and dimensioned for insertion into a hole in said USB
port; and a locking mechanism that selectively retains said cam in
said forward direction; wherein said sliding of said cam in said
forward direction pivots said locking member such that said
protrusion pivots toward an exterior surface of said lock.
14. A security device for adjacent USB ports used in cooperation
with a lock, wherein the lock is configured to be secured to a
first of the USB ports, said security device comprising a member
defining a first opening configured and dimensioned for receiving
the lock and allowing securement of said security device to the
first USB port, said member being configured and dimensioned to
extend across and limit access to at least one said adjacent USB
port when secured through said first opening to the first USB
port.
15. The security device of claim 14 wherein said member is
configured to completely block access to the at least one adjacent
USB port.
16. The security device of claim 15, wherein said member comprises
a flat plate.
17. The security device of claim 16, wherein said opening is the
only opening in said plate.
18. The security device of claim 16, further comprising a second
opening configured and dimensioned for receiving the lock and
allowing securement of the device to the first USB port, wherein
each said opening defines an axis along a length thereof, wherein
said first opening axis is substantially perpendicular said second
opening axis.
19. The security device of claim 14, wherein said member is
configured as a bracket dimensioned to mate with at least one USB
plug such that the plug is securely retained in said at least one
adjacent USB port by said member.
20. The security device of claim 19, further comprising a second
opening configured for insertion of said plug, wherein said first
opening is configured for subsequent insertion of said lock, such
that when said lock is inserted to said first opening, said plug is
securely retained in said at least one adjacent USB port.
21. The security device of claim 20, wherein said second opening is
interconnected to said first opening.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to, and the benefit of,
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/838,591, filed on Aug. 17,
2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] (a) Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a lock for USB ports on
personal computers and other electronic devices. More particularly,
the present invention relates to a locking device for locking
and/or blocking a USB port and adjacent ports to prevent use of or
removal of a cable from one or more ports.
[0004] (b) Description of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, universal serial bus (USB) ports provide a serial
bus standard for connecting devices to computers. Most modern
computers include at least one USB port. USB ports can also be used
on video game consoles and personal digital assistants (PDAs), and
even devices like televisions and home stereo equipment. They are
used to connect peripherals such as mice, keyboards, gamepads,
joysticks, scanners, digital cameras, printers, external storage,
etc.
[0006] In addition, anyone with access to a computer's USB port can
plug a portable flash drive or the like into the port and download
information from the computer. This can be a security problem.
[0007] While others have attempted to solve this problem with locks
including a control shaft which, when slid forward (i.e. toward the
USB port), forces a claw on the back end of a resilient tab outward
into a slot in the USB port, such a claw may become jammed inward
with too much force or bent out of shape with repeated use. In
addition, such a lock is capable of blocking use of only a single
USB port, and does not address the issue of necessary external
devices such as keyboards and mice. An example of such a lock is
shown, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication no.
2003/0224637 to Ling.
[0008] Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a lock for a USB
port with a more reliable securement mechanism, as well as a lock
capable of blocking use of more than one port simultaneously and/or
locking necessary external devices in place.
[0009] The above information disclosed in this Background section
is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the
invention and may contain information that does not form the prior
art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary
skill in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] A USB port lock according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention includes a linear cam with a lock button at its
back end, and a locking member pivotally connected at its back end
to a retaining sheath, onto which a lock housing is mounted. The
locking member's back end is bent, such that its front end is
biased toward the interior of the lock. The locking member has
protrusions on its front end, configured for insertion into
openings of a USB port. When the lock button is depressed, the
linear cam moves forward, pivoting the locking member such that its
front end moves outward. The protrusions are then disposed in the
holes of the USB port, securing the lock to the port.
[0011] In a first exemplary embodiment, a locking mechanism
includes a front spring-loaded set of pins, which is biased
backwards, cooperating with a rear set of pins. A locking latch
cooperates with a notch in the lock housing to restrict rearward
movement of the locking mechanism and linear cam. A linear cam
return spring biases the locking mechanism and linear cam rearward,
and a locking latch return spring biases the rear portion of the
locking mechanism sideways, at which position the locking latch
prevents rearward movement of the linear cam, retaining the lock in
its locked position.
[0012] In a second exemplary embodiment, a locking mechanism
includes an actuating member, such as a cable, and a separate lock.
An internal return spring releases the locking mechanism upon
removal of the actuating member.
[0013] A blocking plate according to an exemplary embodiment the
present invention includes at least one opening slightly larger
than the exterior dimensions of the retaining sheath of the lock,
but smaller than the exterior dimensions of the lock housing. The
retaining sheath is placed through the opening before the lock is
inserted in the USB port.
[0014] A retaining bracket, according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, keeps a USB plug in a USB port adjacent the
port to which the lock is secured. The retaining bracket has a
front face that defines an opening slightly larger than the
exterior dimensions of the retaining sheath, but smaller than the
exterior dimensions of the lock housing. The front face also
defines an opening that is slightly larger than the exterior
dimensions of the USB plug. The bracket's back face defines an
opening slightly wider than the cable that connects the plug to an
external device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a USB lock in the unlocked
state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the lock of
FIG. 1 cooperating with a USB port of an electronic device in the
unlocked state;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the lock of
FIG. 1 cooperating with a USB port of an electronic device in the
locked state;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a first
exemplary locking mechanism of the lock of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of a second exemplary
locking mechanism of the lock of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lock of FIG. 1 and an
exemplary blocking plate;
[0021] FIGS. 7A-7C are front views of first through third exemplary
blocking plates;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a USB plug;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a first exemplary
embodiment of a retaining bracket;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of the retaining bracket
of FIG. 9;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a front view of the retaining bracket of FIG. 9
with the plug of FIG. 8 being inserted thereto;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a front view of the retaining bracket and plug of
FIG. 11 after insertion of the plug;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of the retaining bracket
of FIG. 9, the lock of FIG. 1, and the plug of FIG. 8 after
insertion of the plug and lock to the retaining bracket;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a second exemplary
embodiment of a retaining bracket; and
[0029] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the retaining bracket of
FIG. 14 after insertion of the lock of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will
hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention provides a lock 2 with a housing 14 mounted onto a
retaining sheath 12, which is insertable to a USB port. Locking
member 8 is pivotally connected to the rear end of retaining sheath
12. Locking member 8 is provided with two protrusions 18, which
correspond to standard openings in a USB port. Locking member 8 has
a bent, preformed shape, such that in the absence of external
forces it runs diagonally; its front end is farther inward than its
back end 10. Lock 2 further includes lock button 6 which protrudes
from the rear end of housing 14. Lock button 6 is depressible by a
user to lock the lock 2. Referring also to FIGS. 2 and 3, lock
button 6 is connected to linear cam 4, which pivots locking member
8 by cooperating with the ramped camming surface of locking member
8.
[0032] Retaining sheath 12 and locking member 8 may be made of
steel and lock housing 14 may be made of polycarbonate and
over-molded on retaining sheath 12. Lock 2 is thus resistant to
being bent, broken, or crushed during storage or by a would-be
thief. In addition, throughout repeated pivoting of locking member
8, the structural integrity of its back end 10 is not
compromised.
[0033] FIGS. 2 and 3 are shown with the basic structure of a USB
port 16 exposed so as to reveal the cooperation of lock 2 with the
USB port 16. To lock use of USB port 16, a user inserts lock 2 into
USB port 16 and depresses lock button 6, which is retained in the
depressed position by means of locking mechanism 24, 50, which will
be described below with reference to FIGS. 4-6. Linear cam 4 moves
forward, pivoting locking member 8 outwards until it is at least
approximately parallel to linear cam 4 and to the interior surface
of USB port 16. Protrusions 18 on locking member 8 then protrude
through opening 20 in retaining sheath 12, and into openings 22 in
USB port 16, securing lock 2 to USB port 16. Protrusions 18 may be
along the edges of locking member 8 and may be formed by bending up
a portion of the material.
[0034] To unlock lock 2 and allow use of USB port 16, a user
unlocks the locking mechanism, allowing linear cam 4 to slide back
to its start position. Locking member 8 thus deflects to return to
its preformed diagonal disposition. In this state, protrusions 18
are completely disposed within the interior of retaining sheath 12,
and thus do not interfere with openings 22 in USB port 16, allowing
lock 2 to be removed from USB port 16.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 4, in a first exemplary embodiment,
locking mechanism 24 includes two sets of pins: a front
spring-loaded set 26 which is biased backwards by springs 28, and a
rear set 30 with an equal number of pins. Locking latch 32
cooperates with notch 40 to restrict rearward movement of locking
mechanism 24. Linear cam return spring 34 biases locking mechanism
24 rearward, and locking latch return spring 36 biases the rear
portion 38 of locking mechanism 24 sideways (down in FIG. 4).
[0036] When lock button 6 is depressed, locking latch return spring
36 forces the rear part 38 of locking mechanism 24 over (down), and
locking latch 32 prevents it from moving rearward by means of its
engagement with notch 40 in housing 14. Because lock button 6 is
connected to linear cam 4, this keeps linear cam 4 forward and lock
2 in its locked position as seen in FIG. 3.
[0037] To unlock locking mechanism 24, a user inserts key 42 until
its forward surface 44 abuts the rear surface of lock button 6. At
this point, the rear pins 30 have been pushed by the biting 46 on
key 42 until their forward surfaces are at shear line 48, and they,
in turn, have pushed forward pins 26 until their rear surfaces are
at shear line 48. Key 42 is now slid over (up in FIG. 4) against
locking latch return spring 36, taking with it the rear portion 38
of locking mechanism 24, including locking latch 32 which no longer
restrains rearward motion of locking mechanism 24. Linear cam
return spring 34 forces the entire locking mechanism 24 rearward,
taking with it linear cam 4 and thus releasing lock 2 to its
unlocked position as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, allowing it to be
removed from USB port 16.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 5-6, in a second exemplary embodiment,
locking mechanism 50 includes an actuating member 52 and lock 54.
When the actuating member 52 is removed, an internal return spring
(not shown) releases locking mechanism 50. Actuating member 52 may
comprise a cable or other partly flexible member. Alternatively,
the hasp of a padlock (not shown) could be inserted directly to
locking mechanism 50.
[0039] While exemplary locking mechanisms 24, 50 have been
described for illustrative purposes, it will be appreciated that
the invention is not limited thereto. For example, a cylindrical
multiple dial combination lock as shown in the Assignee's copending
U.S. application Ser. No. 11/821,463, Master Keyed Combination
Lock, filed Jun. 22, 2007, may be easily adapted for use in the
present invention by configuring the lock shaft disclosed therein
to cooperate with linear cam 4. The said copending U.S. patent
application is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 7-7C, in a further exemplary embodiment,
a blocking plate 56 includes at least one opening 58 slightly
larger than the exterior dimensions of retaining sheath 12, but
smaller than the exterior dimensions of lock housing 14. Retaining
sheath 12 is inserted in opening 58 before lock 2 is inserted in
USB port 16, such that once lock 2 has been secured to USB port 16,
plate 56 cannot be removed from lock 2 and adjacent USB ports are
blocked from use by blocking plate 56. In some embodiments, as
illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B, only one opening 58 is provided in
plate 56. FIG. 7A illustrates a blocking plate 56 configured to
block access to a USB port in a "vertical" configuration with the
port 16, i.e. below the opening 58 in the Figure. FIG. 7B
illustrates a plate 56 configured to block a port in a
"side-by-side" configuration the port 16, i.e. to the right of the
opening 58 in the Figure. In a further exemplary embodiment, as
illustrated in FIG. 7C, blocking plate 56 includes two openings 58
whose lengthwise axes are substantially perpendicular to one
another, such that blocking plate 56 can be used on a variety of
computer makes and models with different numbers and configurations
of USB ports. (It should be noted that ports are typically parallel
to one another; thus whichever opening 58 is not used does not
provide access to a nearby port.) Alternatively, the dimensions of
blocking plate 56 and the configuration of opening 58 may be
specific to the make and model of computer for which blocking plate
56 is being used.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 8-10 and 13, retaining bracket 60,
according to a first exemplary embodiment, keeps USB plug 62 in a
USB port adjacent port 16 in the "vertical" configuration.
Retaining bracket 60 has a front face 64 that defines an opening 66
slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of retaining sheath
12, but smaller than the exterior dimensions of lock housing 14,
such that bracket 60 can be secured to port 16 in the same manner
as blocking plate 56, as described above. It also defines an
opening 68 that is slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of
plug 62, and a central channel 70, slightly wider than plug 62,
that connects openings 66, 68. The bracket's back face 72 defines
an opening 74 which is slightly wider than cable 76 which connects
plug 62 to an external device such as, for example, a mouse or a
keyboard.
[0042] To lock plug 62 to a port adjacent port 16, a user first
inserts plug 62 to retaining bracket 60 in the orientation seen in
FIG. 11. Plug 62 is pulled all the way through bracket 60 in this
orientation and then rotated 90.degree. and slid to the orientation
seen in FIG. 12. Plug 62 is pulled back through bracket 60 in this
orientation to the position seen in FIG. 13. In this orientation,
it cannot be removed by pulling backwards, as opening 74 is not big
enough to allow plug 62 through. Lock 2 is then inserted to opening
66 and locked to USB port 16 as described above. Bracket 60 thus
cannot be pulled backward because of lock 2 interfering with front
face 64, and both ports are blocked from use.
[0043] In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 14-15,
retaining bracket 60a keeps USB plug 62 in a USB port adjacent port
16 in the "side-by-side" configuration. Retaining bracket 60a has a
front face 64a that defines an opening 66a slightly larger than the
exterior dimensions of retaining sheath 12, as described above. It
also defines an opening 68a that is slightly larger than the
exterior dimensions of plug 62. The bracket's back face 72a, and
side face 73a, define an opening 74a which is slightly wider than
cable 76.
[0044] To lock plug 62 to a port adjacent port 16, a user first
inserts plug 62 to retaining bracket 60a by placing the plug 62
below the bracket 60a in FIG. 14, and pressing the cable 76 through
the portion of the opening 74a on the side face 73a. The user then
pulls the plug 62 upwards in FIG. 14 and secures the cable 76 in
the portion of the opening 74a on the back face 72a. In this
orientation, the plug 62 cannot be removed by pulling backwards, as
opening 74a is not big enough to allow the plug 62 through. Lock 2
is then inserted to opening 66a and locked to USB port 16 as
described above. Bracket 60a thus cannot be pulled backward because
of lock 2 interfering with front face 64a, and both ports are
blocked from use.
[0045] It should be appreciated that the bracket 60a could also be
used, with minor modifications, to block a port adjacent port 16 in
the "vertical" configuration, or any other configuration. The
bracket 60a is illustrated for use in a "side-by-side"
configuration of ports for exemplary purposes only.
[0046] While this invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments,
it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the
disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover
various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within
the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *